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Fernandez‐Gonzalo R, Deane CS, Bailey DM. Experimental bed rest as a model to investigate mechanisms of, and countermeasures against, microgravity and disease-free inactivity. Exp Physiol 2024; 109:647-649. [PMID: 38477070 PMCID: PMC11061622 DOI: 10.1113/ep091795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Fernandez‐Gonzalo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical PhysiologyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Unit of Clinical PhysiologyKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Colleen S. Deane
- Human Development & Health, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Southampton, Southampton General HospitalSouthamptonUK
| | - Damian Miles Bailey
- Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences and EducationUniversity of South WalesPontypriddUK
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Hajj‐Boutros G, Sonjak V, Faust A, Balram S, Lagacé J, St‐Martin P, Divsalar DN, Sadeghian F, Liu‐Ambrose T, Blaber AP, Dionne IJ, Duchesne S, Kontulainen S, Theou O, Morais JA. Myths and Methodologies: Understanding the health impact of head down bedrest for the benefit of older adults and astronauts. Study protocol of the Canadian Bedrest Study. Exp Physiol 2024; 109:812-827. [PMID: 38372420 PMCID: PMC11061626 DOI: 10.1113/ep091473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Weightlessness during spaceflight can harm various bodily systems, including bone density, muscle mass, strength and cognitive functions. Exercise appears to somewhat counteract these effects. A terrestrial model for this is head-down bedrest (HDBR), simulating gravity loss. This mirrors challenges faced by older adults in extended bedrest and space environments. The first Canadian study, backed by the Canadian Space Agency, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Canadian Frailty Network, aims to explore these issues. The study seeks to: (1) scrutinize the impact of 14-day HDBR on physiological, psychological and neurocognitive systems, and (2) assess the benefits of exercise during HDBR. Eight teams developed distinct protocols, harmonized in three videoconferences, at the McGill University Health Center. Over 26 days, 23 participants aged 55-65 underwent baseline measurements, 14 days of -6° HDBR, and 7 days of recovery. Half did prescribed exercise thrice daily combining resistance and endurance exercise for a total duration of 1 h. Assessments included demographics, cardiorespiratory fitness, bone health, body composition, quality of life, mental health, cognition, muscle health and biomarkers. This study has yielded some published outcomes, with more forthcoming. Findings will enrich our comprehension of HDBR effects, guiding future strategies for astronaut well-being and aiding bedrest-bound older adults. By outlining evidence-based interventions, this research supports both space travellers and those enduring prolonged bedrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Hajj‐Boutros
- Research Institute of McGill University Health CentreMcGill UniversityMontréalQuebecCanada
| | - Vita Sonjak
- Research Institute of McGill University Health CentreMcGill UniversityMontréalQuebecCanada
| | - Andréa Faust
- Research Institute of McGill University Health CentreMcGill UniversityMontréalQuebecCanada
| | - Sharmila Balram
- Research Institute of McGill University Health CentreMcGill UniversityMontréalQuebecCanada
| | - Jean‐Christophe Lagacé
- Faculté des Sciences de l'activité physique, Centre de recherche sur le VieillissementUniversité de SherbrookeSherbrookeQuebecCanada
| | - Philippe St‐Martin
- Faculté des Sciences de l'activité physique, Centre de recherche sur le VieillissementUniversité de SherbrookeSherbrookeQuebecCanada
| | - Donya Naz Divsalar
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and KinesiologySimon Fraser UniversityGreater VancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Farshid Sadeghian
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and KinesiologySimon Fraser UniversityGreater VancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Teresa Liu‐Ambrose
- Aging, Mobility and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Health Research InstituteVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Centre for Hip Health and MobilityVancouver Coastal Health Research InstituteVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Andrew P. Blaber
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and KinesiologySimon Fraser UniversityGreater VancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Isabelle J. Dionne
- Faculté des Sciences de l'activité physique, Centre de recherche sur le VieillissementUniversité de SherbrookeSherbrookeQuebecCanada
| | - Simon Duchesne
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear MedicineUniversité LavalQuebec CityQuebecCanada
- CERVO Brain Research CenterQuebec CityQuebecCanada
| | - Saija Kontulainen
- College of KinesiologyUniversity of SaskatchewanSaskatoonSaskatchewanCanada
| | - Olga Theou
- Physiotherapy and Geriatric MedicineDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
| | - José A. Morais
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, McGill University Health CentreMcGill UniversityMontréalQuebecCanada
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Florindo M, Gregório J, Rodrigues LM. Lower-Limb Perfusion and Cardiovascular Physiology Are Significantly Improved in Non-Healthy Aged Adults by Regular Home-Based Physical Activities-An Exploratory Study. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:241. [PMID: 38398750 PMCID: PMC10890040 DOI: 10.3390/life14020241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Common daily activities including walking might be used to improve cardiovascular health in the presence of disease. Thus, we designed a specific home-based physical activity program to assess cardiovascular indicators in an older, non-active, non-healthy population. Ten participants, with a mean age of 62.4 ± 5.6 years old, were chosen and evaluated twice-upon inclusion (D0), and on day 30 (D30)-following program application. Perfusion was measured in both feet by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and by polarised spectroscopy (PSp). Measurements were taken at baseline (Phase 1) immediately after performing the selected activities (Phase 2) and during recovery (Phase 3). Comparison outcomes between D0 and D30 revealed relevant differences in Phase 1 recordings, namely a significant increase in LDF perfusion (p = 0.005) and a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.008) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (p = 0.037). A correlation between the increase in perfusion and the weekly activity time was found (p = 0.043). No differences were found in Phase 2, but, in Phase 3, LDF values were still significantly higher in D30 compared with D0. These simple activities, regularly executed with minimal supervision, significantly improved the lower-limb perfusion while reducing participants' systolic pressure and MAP, taken as an important improvement in their cardiovascular status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Florindo
- CBIOS—Research Center for Biosciences & Health Technologies, Universidade Lusófona, 1749 024 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.F.)
- Department of Physiotherapy, ESSCVP—Portuguese Red Cross Health School, 1300 125 Lisboa, Portugal
- Escuela de Doctorado, Programa de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidade de Alcalá, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - João Gregório
- CBIOS—Research Center for Biosciences & Health Technologies, Universidade Lusófona, 1749 024 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.F.)
| | - Luís Monteiro Rodrigues
- CBIOS—Research Center for Biosciences & Health Technologies, Universidade Lusófona, 1749 024 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.F.)
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Porta A, Gelpi F, Bari V, Cairo B, De Maria B, Tonon D, Rossato G, Faes L. Concomitant evaluation of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular controls via Geweke spectral causality to assess the propensity to postural syncope. Med Biol Eng Comput 2023; 61:3141-3157. [PMID: 37452270 PMCID: PMC10746785 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-023-02885-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The evaluation of propensity to postural syncope necessitates the concomitant characterization of the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular controls and a method capable of disentangling closed loop relationships and decomposing causal links in the frequency domain. We applied Geweke spectral causality (GSC) to assess cardiovascular control from heart period and systolic arterial pressure variability and cerebrovascular regulation from mean arterial pressure and mean cerebral blood velocity variability in 13 control subjects and 13 individuals prone to develop orthostatic syncope. Analysis was made at rest in supine position and during head-up tilt at 60°, well before observing presyncope signs. Two different linear model structures were compared, namely bivariate autoregressive and bivariate dynamic adjustment classes. We found that (i) GSC markers did not depend on the model structure; (ii) the concomitant assessment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular controls was useful for a deeper comprehension of postural disturbances; (iii) orthostatic syncope appeared to be favored by the loss of a coordinated behavior between the baroreflex feedback and mechanical feedforward pathway in the frequency band typical of the baroreflex functioning during the postural challenge, and by a weak cerebral autoregulation as revealed by the increased strength of the pressure-to-flow link in the respiratory band. GSC applied to spontaneous cardiovascular and cerebrovascular oscillations is a promising tool for describing and monitoring disturbances associated with posture modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Porta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Vascular Anesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via R. Morandi 30, San Donato Milanese, 20097, Milan, Italy.
| | - Francesca Gelpi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Vlasta Bari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Vascular Anesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via R. Morandi 30, San Donato Milanese, 20097, Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice Cairo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Davide Tonon
- Department of Neurology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, 37024, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rossato
- Department of Neurology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, 37024, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Luca Faes
- Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, 90128, Palermo, Italy
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Fadil R, Huether AXA, Sadeghian F, Verma AK, Blaber AP, Lou JS, Tavakolian K. The Effect of Skeletal Muscle-Pump on Blood Pressure and Postural Control in Parkinson's Disease. Cardiovasc Eng Technol 2023; 14:755-773. [PMID: 37749359 DOI: 10.1007/s13239-023-00685-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Activation of the calf (gastrocnemius and soleus) and tibialis anterior muscles play an important role in blood pressure regulation (via muscle-pump mechanism) and postural control. Parkinson's disease is associated with calf (and tibialis anterior muscles weakness and stiffness, which contribute to postural instability and associated falls. In this work, we studied the role of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and soleus muscle contractions in maintaining blood pressure and postural stability in Parkinson's patients and healthy controls during standing. In addition, we investigated whether the activation of the calf and tibialis anterior muscles is baroreflex dependent or postural-mediated. METHODS We recorded electrocardiogram, blood pressure, center of pressure as a measure of postural sway, and muscle activity from the medial and lateral gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and soleus muscles from twenty-six Parkinson's patients and eighteen sex and age-matched healthy controls during standing and with eyes open. The interaction and bidirectional causalities between the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and postural variables were studied using wavelet transform coherence and convergent cross-mapping techniques, respectively. RESULTS Parkinson's patients experienced a higher postural sway and demonstrated mechanical muscle-pump dysfunction of all individual leg muscles, all of which contribute to postural instability. Moreover, our results showed that coupling between the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and postural variables is affected by Parkinson's disease while the contribution of the calf and tibialis anterior muscles is greater for blood pressure regulation than postural sway. CONCLUSION The outcomes of this study could assist in the development of appropriate physical exercise programs that target lower limb muscles to improve the muscle-pump function and reduce postural instability in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabie Fadil
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Asenath X A Huether
- Parkinson Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Farshid Sadeghian
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Ajay K Verma
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Andrew P Blaber
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Jau-Shin Lou
- Parkinson Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of North Dakota, School of Medicine, and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, USA
| | - Kouhyar Tavakolian
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of North Dakota, 243 Centennial Drive, Upson Hall II, Room 11, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA.
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Blaber AP, Sadeghian F, Naz Divsalar D, Scarisbrick IA. Elevated biomarkers of neural injury in older adults following head-down bed rest: links to cardio-postural deconditioning with spaceflight and aging. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1208273. [PMID: 37822710 PMCID: PMC10562592 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1208273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Prolonged physical inactivity with bed rest or spaceflight is associated with cardiovascular and neuromuscular deconditioning; however, its impact on neural integrity of cardio-postural reflexes and possible mitigation with exercise has not been examined. We assessed the association between the physiological deconditioning of bed rest immobilization with neural injury markers and the effects of 60-75 min of daily exercise. Methods Data were collected as part of a randomized clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04964999) at the McGill University Medical Centre. Twenty-two 55- to 65-year-old healthy volunteers gave informed consent and took part. Within sex, participants were randomly assigned to exercise (60- to 75-min daily) or control (inactive) groups and spent 14 days in continuous 6° head-down tilt. Neural injury [neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), total tau (t-Tau), myelin basic protein (MBP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1)], as well as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) biomarkers were measured before, during, and after bed rest. The false discovery rate with Huber M-estimation was used to correlate changes in biomarkers with cardiovascular and muscular function changes over bed rest. Results Bed rest elevated NfL, GFAP, TNF-α, and IL-6 in all participants and reduced IGF-1 in females only. With standing, changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and lower limb muscle motoneuron activity correlated with changes in TNF-α and BDNF. Baroreflex control, leg muscle maximal voluntary contraction, and postural sway are correlated with GFAP and NfL. Exercise participants had fewer interactions than control participants, but significant correlations still existed, with both groups exhibiting similar reductions in orthostatic tolerance. Discussion An hour of daily exercise in older persons otherwise immobilized for 2 weeks did not abate bed rest-induced increases in serum signatures of neural injury or pro-inflammatory markers. Exercise reduced the number of physiological interactions of biomarkers, but significant cardio-postural correlations remained with no protection against post-bed rest orthostatic intolerance. The identification of associations of inflammatory and neural injury biomarkers with changes in cardio-postural physiology and exercise points to biotherapeutic opportunities and improved exercise interventions for astronauts and individuals in bed rest. Clinical trial registration https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=NCT04964999, identifier: NCT04964999.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P. Blaber
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Farshid Sadeghian
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Donya Naz Divsalar
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Isobel A. Scarisbrick
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
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